A Brief Message from a Bedridden Author + What Caught My Eye (No. 63)
This entire week I have been sick. The entire week! While I am just now getting my voice back, my sore throat has been replaced by body aches. Poor me. I hope you pity me enough to buy my novel. It is better than sending chicken soup, you know.
Anyway, I don’t have much to say here. Nothing fun has happened. Laundry has piled up slightly and I have four (!!) articles I need to finish this weekend. So, I’ll leave you here to read on about silly little things like books and pens and sunglasses — all while the world burns and I’m supposed to pretend like it’s all normal.
(I do get a little more pessimistic when I’m sick, if you couldn’t tell)
Anyway, cheers! Have a good Easter and all that x
A Handful of Dust, by Evelyn Waugh
I’m happy — and quite grateful — to say that I am finally getting out of my reading rut. It’s been awful to just feel so disconnected to anything I’ve put in front of my face these last few months. The first book by Evelyn Waugh I read was Decline and Fall, one of his farcical novels about the Bright Young Things crowd — in eleventh grade while at a rural school in Pennsylvania. Needless to say, I’m sure I didn’t get all the nuances. But, also needless to say, I’ve been a fan of Waugh ever since.
While Brideshead remains top-of-class for me (and I’m not big on Waugh’s later military and war novels), there is something so charming about his satirical work that has, undoubtedly, been a big influence on my own voice as an author.
Buy: Here
Black Bag
I’m fond of a few things regarding this film. One is, of course, Cate Blanchett. The other is a good old-fashioned spy movie. Throw in that it clocks in at just 93 minutes and there’s a good bit of Michael Fassbender, and I was sold to see this movie from first viewing its trailer. So, while in Los Angeles last week, we took advantage of being in a real city to see Black Bag. It had run its course here at home and was nowhere to be found. I’m glad we did. It was a type of film I hope we, as a society, are going back to — one that is self-encapsulated (read: not part of a franchise), while also being a bit sexy and a bit odd. I’m not going to say it’ll win a bunch of Oscars, but I will say that it was the perfect way to end an evening after walking around Venice all day.
Watch: Here
The Phoenician Scheme Trailer
It’s a surprise to no one that I’m a Wes Anderson fan. Though I do think his last couple of films have just been okay, I have hopes for The Phoenician Scheme, which seems to be more in-line with the caper-like feel of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and from what I can tell, just as much humor. Though, I do want to understand the color edits Anderson has done with Phoenician as well as Asteroid City. Too blue and saturated, if you ask me (but I’m sure you didn’t).
Joan Didion Archives at the New York Public Library
It is further a surprise to no one to know that I’m a massive Joan Didion fan as well. In fact, I have a tattoo of Didion from her 2015 Céline ad on my right forearm (from the same tattoo artist Ariana Grande uses, randomly enough). Now, the New York Public Library has opened a new exhibit of ephemera, memorabilia, and archival works by the author and her husband John Gregory Dunne. Next time I’m in New York, this is first on my list of places to visit (the second being the Salmagundi Club, where I’m currently applying for membership, if you must know).
Learn More: Here
Montblanc Meisterstück LeGrand Ballpoint
I think one constant you’ll find with this newsletter (other than my crippling pretension and overuse of the em dash) is that I’ll always be buying more things I don’t need, but at least look nice. I recently upgraded my smaller Montblanc ballpoint (called a Classique) for the heftier LeGrand. It’s a bit sophisticated to use for my daily notetaking, but I think scribbling with it in my writing studio just adds a little luxury to my otherwise boring day-to-day, don’t you agree?
Buy: Here
PLOTTER Bible-Sized Binder
Uh oh, I’m experimenting with new notebooks again! I had an event at a stationery store in Los Angeles last week for work and was reminded of these little guys. PLOTTER is a Japanese brand that makes various-sized binders with a ton of refills to choose from. I have the Bible-sized version, which clocks in at a pocketable 4.5” x 7”, though I have debated splurging on the A5 size, too. I love versatility in a notebook and it doesn’t hurt with how chic these are (especially as I’m currently eyeing a Prada Galleria in black, which will go nicely with these notebooks).
Buy: Here
Flint and Tinder Classic Oxford Shirt
I believe I packed seven white oxford shirts for Los Angeles (I did try to warn you that this was going to be my Spring uniform). Above and beyond, Huckberry’s Flint and Tinder was the best of the bunch. It’s thick with this slightly boxy silhouette that drapes nicely off my body and hits right at the waist — I’m built like an out-of-work shortstop, so this may just be anecdotal to me, though, I’m sorry to say.
Buy: Here
Barton Perreira Nolan Sunglasses
Well, I’m man enough to say that I’m eating my words when it comes to sunglasses. Previously, I have been adamant that I’m only a fan of Persols and the occasional Ray-Ban. And while this is, as a rule, still true, I have been branching out lately. Take, for instance, Barton Perreira. I really love the shape of their Nolan frames and the colorway — Havana tortoiseshell, green lenses, and gold accents — is pitch-perfect for my wardobe.
Buy: Here
Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
I had first heard about Le Prunier in, I think, Konfekt (the sister publication to Monocle). Since then, I’ve been wanting to try this little miracle elixir. I’m usually a bit weary about spending money on beauty products, as my skin is so sensitive and often goes to waste. But, I saw this beauty oil on a facialist’s shelf during my spa appointment in Venice and thought why the hell not? I was really pleased with the results, giving me a nice glow — I don’t often use a serum in my routine — and has a pleasant musky scent that’s better than my current cologne. Too bad it washed off in the hotel pool just an hour or so later.
Buy: Here
The Minimal Company Phone
I’m beginning to seriously contemplate giving up my phone. The problem is, I do need it for work and freelance, which is pretty photo-driven in a lot of ways. But when I see a product like this come along, I can’t help but dream of being as offline as possible (and with that tactile clickity-clack keyboard that I still miss from my Blackberry Curve days).
Pre-Order: Here